After School Music Activities - County

If you have recently completed a School Music Project and have enjoyed learning to play an instrument, or if you are just starting out on your musical journey, why not come along to an after school music activity?

Each activity has its own team of dedicated and experienced musicians and music teachers, most of who also work in schools in and around Leicestershire.

One of our key goals is to ensure that all young people are able to continue to learn and take part in performances and ensembles. We provide specialist guidance in each of the major instrument groups: Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, Steel Pans and Theory of Music.

Our activities are listed below - please click on the headings below for further details on what they are currently offering. Individual Activities will be listed in the title, whereas those named as Area Centres will have a range of activities.

If you'd like to come along for a taster, just let us know LSMSEnsembles@leics.gov.uk or email the staff listed at the activity you'd like to attend.

Please click on a heading below to access further information.

Why join an After School Music Activity?

If you are looking to develop your ensemble skills, perform to an audience and have fun playing with others, then the Leicester-Shire Music Education Hub can help point your young musician in the right direction.

After School Music Activities are all about helping young musicians come together to fulfil their maximum potential through playing together under expert direction. Activities usually operate from schools or colleges and all run after school on varying nights with varying groups and structures.

One of our key goals is to ensure that all young people are able to continue to learn and take part in performances and ensembles.

Ever wonder what the BENEFITS of your young musician playing in an ensemble would be? Here are just a few to think about:

Team work

Learn how different parts can fit together and work in harmony

Sight reading improves

Multitasking: Counting, read music notation, playing their instrument, listening to the other band members AND watching the conductor all at the same time!

Following a leader

Extra practice

Performance opportunities

Each Activity has its own team of dedicated and experienced musicians and music teachers, most of who also work in schools in and around Leicestershire.

We provide specialist guidance in each of the major instrument groups: Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, Steel Pans and Theory of Music.

The Activities currently on offer are listed below - please click on a title to display the Activity details.

We are looking to develop activities so it is likely that more will be established during the year so please come back to check.

Brockington College Tuition

We are launching a brand new pilot initiative to encourage children to learn to play a musical instrument. In this first pilot, we will be offering Instrument lessons to primary aged pupils in a group of up to 20 children. This has proved very successful in many schools as part of the National Plan for Music Education.

The lessons will take place on a Thursday at 3.30pm at Brockington College in the Music Rooms and will start on Thursday May 3rd 2018.

The cost of a term's lessons will be £25.00 per term which covers the cost of the lesson, instrument hire and music. Children are welcome to attend the first 2 lessons free of charge to see if it something they wish to pursue.

We are hoping to offer a range of different instruments that, ultimately, will feed into the orchestra that rehearses on the same afternoon.

Places will be given on a first come first served basis - if you would like your chilld to join, please email Sam Goldsworthy or tel 0116 305 3507

Charnwood Area Music Centre - The Cedars Academy, Birstall

Charnwood Area Music Centre (formerly Birstall Area Centre): based at The Cedars Academy (formerly Stonehill High School), Stonehill Avenue, Birstall LE4 4JG.

Groups available at the centre are Wind Band and Junior / Senior String Ensembles (previously one string group). Groups rehearse every Thursday during term time.

Wind Band 4.00pm – 5.00pm (for students who have reached grade 1 and above)

Junior Strings 3.45pm - 4.30pm (for students who have been learning for a couple of terms to those having reached grade 2)

Intermediate Strings 4.30pm - 5.30pm (grade 3 to 5)

The Wind Band meets in the Main Hall and the String Groups meet in the Library.

Djembe Troupe South - Blaby Stokes Primary School

The Djembe Troupe South is an exciting ensemble where children can come and have fun playing Djembe with friends. The group is led by Adam Bailey, Leicester-Shire Schools Music Service's Djembe specialist. Your young musician will be joining children from other schools in the area that also play the djembe. The ensemble is open to players of all standards who have had previous djembe experience in school and the ensemble will be held weekly during term-time at Blaby Stokes Primary School on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30pm.

First session Weds 6th September, 3:30pm-4:30pm

Djembe drums are provided upon arrival free of charge so children will not need to bring anything with them. The Djembe Troupe will be working towards performance opportunities and children will develop their confidence with these enjoyable experiences.

From September 2017, the termly fee for membership of the Djembe Troupe will be £15.00 per term. You will be signing up for a termly commitment and will be invoiced directly by email. You may be eligible for full fee remission if you are in receipt of benefits, please find information regarding this and how to register online by using the following links.

Loughborough Schools Area Orchestra - Limehurst Academy, Loughborough

The Loughborough Schools Area Orchestra meet in the Performing Arts Studio at Limehurst Academy, Loughborough each Tuesday between 4:00pm and 5:15pm (term time only)

Our youngest member is currently Year 4 and the oldest is Year 11.No minimum grade requirement but most players have been playing for a minimum of 1 year (2 years for strings).Our current members range from pre-grade 1 up to 2 boys currently preparing for grade 8.The cost is £20 for the year (with a slightly reduced option for siblings joining)

The Ukulele Rocks Club is an exciting ensemble where children can come and have fun playing ukulele with friends. The club is led by Natasha Pattinson, Leicester-Shire Schools Music Service's ukulele teacher and the Head of Performance at St Martin's, Mr Tim Clay.